Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Stavesacre, Absolutes
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Stavesacre
Absolutes



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 51 seconds
Street Date: 1997


Stavesacre's 1997 album Absolutes is a great hard rocking album that modernizes old school metal. It can be melodic at times, but not as melodramatically as 80's cheese-metal hair-bands tended to be. This is metal for the thinking man!

While Mark Salomon's lead vocals have improved, some might find his high ends to be a little 80's-ish at times. Where he couldn't establish his range previously, he has matured here. Dirk Lemmes's bass is driving and crystal clear. It is heavy and crunchy, able to switch speeds in a split second. It seems like he is constantly pounding those strings.

Ryan Denee skillfully lays out the guitar as well, even after the band having changed guitarists. A later album adds another guitarist, but the sound doesn't fare any better as one might expect. The drums...ah, the drums. Sam West is simply marvelous, one of the best. His filler is no filler at all. He adds so much that he often teeters on overdoing it. If you are a drummer, you have to get this record for sure. I can't believe how he can set such paces yet is able to pre-empt them so suddenly, making his beats something to behold. He is a treat to listen to and a blur to watch.

"Shiv" is an immediate rocker, an introductory anthem that begs for freedom and understanding. "Sand Dollar" touches on trusting in The Intelligent Designer. "Colt .45" is an unapologetic expression of faith, sensitively cited amidst heavy music. "Inclusive" is also a heavy number that acknowledges God's sovereignty. "Wither/Ascend" (which will be played at my funeral) is an endearing committment no matter what life may bring and is later followed by a brief and mellow reprise. "Acquiesce" is a mid-tempo statement of confidence in divine providence. "An Eclipsing" is a layered call for significance, for purpose and meaning in life. "Two Heavens" is descriptive of two realms, of both temptation and hope. "Scarecrow" ends beautifully with a warning of impending judgement for all.

These guys are not preachy; they are real and they are certainly authentic. They take themselves seriously yet are still able to have some fun with it. Their passion is contagious and their intentions admirable. They are certainly a hard-working band and I have enjoyed meeting them.

While some feel that Speakeasy is better, this is still their most thorough effort. While they never really broke through into the popular market, they continue to be thought of respectfully by both fans and industry participants alike. While Mark can be abrupt, his intentions are always laudable. These guys are intense and can rock like no one else.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 1/28/10, written by Derek Lehman for Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 


. Record Label: Tooth and Nail Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 51 seconds
. Street Date: 1997
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Shiv (2:56)
  2. Sand Dollar (3:07)
  3. Colt .45 (5:45)
  4. Inclusive (3:45)
  5. Wither/Ascend (6:19)
  6. Acquiesce (4:06)
  7. An Eclipsing (2:59)
  8. The Two Heavens (6:13)
  9. Wither (Reprise) (2:35)
  10. Zzyzx Scarecrow (6:06)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH



This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Get all of JFH's indie compilation now totally free!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images